Apparatus for photography of composite images



July 20 1926.

A. AMES, JR

APPARATUS FOR PHOTOG-Rz'aPHY OF COMPflISI'I'E IMAGES Filed July 11 1921 Q jwerfoz' flcZeZerZ $11465 Jz j m lm Patented July 20, 1926.

UNITED STATES 1,593,053 PATENT OFFICE.

A'DELBERT AMES, J'R. OF HANOVER, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

APPARATUS FOR PHOTOGRAPHY OF COMPOSITE IIAGES.

Application filed July 11, 1821. Serial No. 483,850.

I interest in the object field.

The present invention further relates to means for practising photography according to the method set out in my application, Serial No. 452,273, filed March 14, 1921. One form of apparatus adapted for this purpose and comprising means for forming two such superposed images by a single lens and means for viewing the object field from the axis of the lens and from a point displaced to one side of the axis is disclosed in my application jointly with Charles A. Proctor, filed June 2, 1921, Serial N 0. 474,560.

The present invention utilizes the device of the said Ames and Proctor application, and further provides means for simul ane ous formation of composite images y a plurality of lenses on separate films or other sensitive surfaces, and also provides means for/so treating the images as to cause the respective films to bear complemental series of color-value images, each comprising a series of composites of images from two points of view corresponding to binocular vision. The negatives produced by the present apparatus are available to print positives adapted to be exactly superposed, which when colored in the respective complementary colors will form natural-color transparencies, or may be used for two-color projection in the appropriately colored light, pair by pair, of the superposed and similar complemental composites. These composites are enact counterparts in time and in contents, ditfering from each other only by correspondence to image-forming light transmitted through screens respectively of different and complemental colors. When used for monochromes by the omission of color screens, the apparatus produces simultaneously two'identical negatives.

One object of the present invention is to minimize loss of light by providing for photographic use of all the available light incident upon the reflectors and lenses of the system; Other objects of the invention are to provide for proper synchronous adjustment of the lenses, proper synchronous positioning of the films and exposure, and so to arrange apparatus for these purposes as to. make it convenient for motion-picture photography.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1' shows a plan view partly in horizontal section of a camera embodying the invention; v

Figure 2 is a detail side elevation of the reflector mounting and adjusting means partly in section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

The preferred a paratus includes a primary mirror or re ector m which may be a flat piece of glass silvered on its surface, and provides means 1 and 2 respectively for ad usting this reflector in respect to its mounting in altitude and in azimuth and means presently referred toefor moving the mirror in azimuth. This primary reflectorm is supported on a mounting bracket 3 attached to or forming a part of the camera proper C. 'At'a convenient place in the camera box, for instance in one corner as shown, 45 prisms '5 and 6 are mounted with their hypotenuse faces cemented in contact at a surface d, which is a partly reflect-mg and partly transmitting surface such as a half-silvered or a half latiniaed coating on one or both of the p ane faces brought into coalescence at d. "Suitable apertures 7 are provided in the box C to admit the reflected beam from the primary reflector m incident in the direction of the arrows a, o and the direct beam from the object field incident in the direction of b.

The central ra of the beam 11, a is reflected'at the un ersurface (as seen in the figure) of the light dividing surface (I axially in respect to a lens L which preferably is the kind of lens described and claimed in my application for patent, Serial No. 47 5,561, filed June 2, 1921, which lens gives a characteristic image having better definition in the region of its axis than elsewhere, and havlng the aberrations characteristic of the normal human eye. The lens L is mounted in a tubular mounting cured by the right-hand screw thread to a circular seat 10, mounted in a fixed. relation to or forming a part of the mounting 11 for the prisms'5 and 6.

Not all of the beam of light a is re fiected bythe surface d; substantially half of the light incident on the surface (I is transmitted thereby in the axial direction of a lens L similar to the lens L and aimcomprise a red absorption screen gem absorption screen Ssuitably mounted ilarly mounted, exce' t that'the screw thread between the lens tu e and its mounting, as shown at 12, is a left-hand thread. The lens tubes 9 are provided with gear teeth 13 into which racks 14, 14, respectively take. These racks are formed on or attached to a carriage 15 centrally bored and threaded for a screw 16 held to rotate in a vertical position in bearings 17 and having a reduced portion 18 extending outside of the camera box 0, where it is provided with a hand wheel 19 for the pur ose of turning the screw to simultaneous y adjust the axial ition of the respective lenses L and L, bg means of racks 14, gears 13, and the screw-threaded mounting.

For color photography the camera'- may S' and ween the respective lenses L and U and their image planes.

The beam of light b from the object field is reflected from the. .upper side of light dividing surface (Z, and enters the lens L axially, thus passing through the screen S"; that portion of the beam b transmitted by the surface at enters the lens L axially and thence passes through the screen S. The central ray of the beam b in res set to the res ctive images from the lens 1 and lens L 18 thus coincident with the central ray of the beam of light a; According to different adfizstments of the rimary reflector m, the central rays procee from an object at the intersection of the directions a and b, which ob'ect is the center of interest in the ob'fit field.

e images are thus respective composites centrallyviewed from the intersection of the axes of the lenses with the surface d, and the intersection of the axis of lens L with primary reflector m.

The components of this simultaneous pair of composite images are respectively brought to a focus on films f, 7, suitably driven intermittently in unison, for example by toothed driving rolls'25 26, fast on shafts 27 and 28 respectively, which are geared together for simultaneous motion by bevel gears 29. .One of these shafts also has fast thereon the driven member 30 of, a train of gearing driven intermittently by any of the familiar means for driving motion picture film feeding apparatus intermittently,

The films are exposed during their periods of quiescence by suitable shutters preferably arranged as shown at 31 and 32, respectively, to rotate on stud shafts 33, 34:, respectively, suitably mounted in respect to the box C and arranged to be driven in unison, for

which convenient means such as bevel gear 36 taking respectively into the bevel pinions 37 and 38' associated with the shutters 31V and 32 respectively may be employed. The

gear-'36 may be driven by shaft 37in suitable bearings in the box C, the shaft 37 in turn being driven by bevel gearin 39 havin members respectively 'fast on a shaft 37 an on a sleeve free on the shaft 28, and having an attached gear 40 adapted to be continuously driven by known means in unison with the integrated intermittent motion of the intermittent drive for gear 30.

.It will be observed that the light dividing surface at is so related to the other elements that beams of light from any point in the object-field are incident upon its op 0 site faces s mmetricall and at equal ang es, and that t e part of tie light of one beam transmitted by the light dividing surface is coincident in direction with the part of the light of the other beam reflected by said surface. This is true for any radiant from such a point throughout the light emitted from the emergent surfaces of both prisms 5 and 6, so that the image forming li lit focussed by the like lenses L and if, whether arriving at the lenses axially or at divergent angles, is gathered to focus b the refractiveclements of each lens under i entical circumstances for each beam of light, and under identical circumstances for each pair of the composite images as compared with each other. This advantage flows in part from the arrangement of identical lenses with their axes intersecting in the light-dividing plane and at equal angles thereto. In the instance shown, the sum of these angles is 90, but that is not essential so long as the light dividing surface is a bisector of the axial angle, and the entrance and emergence faces of the prisms 5 and 6 are respectively at complemental angles to the axial angle. I

In use, the axis of lens L is aimed at the center of interest, and mirror m is adjusted in respect to the distance of the center of interest in the line of sight, so that the images are coalescent at a point in the-center of interest.

For focal definition of the images of objects at different distances along the axes of lenses L, L a different position of the lens tube 9 is required for each different distance of the object u to a critical distance, be end which li t from the object is virtua 1;; parallel lig t, the angle of divergence t en being within the errors of the lens. When the center of interest is at distances exceeding this magnitude, the corresponding best position of mirror m is parallel with the surface at, the component images of all objects beyond the critical distance axial motion. of. the lens required to and real axial directions to converge upon the nearer object-then in focus, so that the component images of this object may coincide. The change in the azimuth angle of the mirror required to secure convergence of the direct and reflected axial directions on such nearer object is proportional to the focus the object on the film.

These relations may, if desired, be taken advantage of by mechanically causing the mirror m to be adjusted in azimuth for axial convergence as a consequence of change in focal position of the lenses so that focussing on the object at the center of interest automatically causes the images to be in coalescence in respect to that object. In the specific instance shown, the camera box is provided with a bearing offset C bored for a short shaft 51 carrying an arm 52 adapted to be heldin contact with a surface of the lens tube 9 of one of the lenses by a-spring 58 surrounding shaft 51. Outside of the offset C shaft 51 has fixed upon it an arm. 53 radially slotted at 54 and extending toward the axis of azimuth motion 4 of mirror m. In slot 54; plays a radially adjustable pin 55 held in a radial slot in, and adapted to be set in adjustment by thumb-nut 5,6 in respect to, an arm 57 fastened to the axis 4, which bears in ,the bracket 3. 7

* Motion outward of tube 9 to focus on a nearer object moves the mirror m to cause nearer convergence of directions a and b, the extent of angular motion of the mirror depending on the ratio of the distances 4, 55, to the distance 55, 51', and being adjust-- able by moving pin 55. This ratlo is adjusted to agree with observed positions of the particular lens and proper position of the mirror for nearby and distant objects. Since the focal distance through which the lens must be moved to focus on objects the same distance apart in the line of si ht increases rapidly as the object approac es the camera, and slncethe angular motion of the mirror for. convergence on points equidistant in the line of sight is greater for near by than for far-ofi' objects, the greater motion of the lens corresponds to the greater motion of the mirror, and automatic adjustment through the narrow angle involved is effected with an'approximation to accuracy close ,enough for all practical purposes.

The apparatus may be usefully employed without the mirror m or its mounting, for example for the superposition of photographs of objects in or near the axis of lens L upon a field in or near the axis of lens L An action taking place against a dark background in oneof these directions,

, for instance, may be superposed upon seencry occupying the other field.

, .By stopping one of the apertures 7, theapparatus may be instantly converted from center-of-interest photogra by to the making of monocular images y each lens; or when the lenses L, L are of the corrected type, which may sometimes be employed for this use, of makin detailed images covering the-whole fiel When such corrected lenses are used, composite photography for stereoscopic-effect, the reflector mbeing inapparatus is not entirely dependent upon its arrangement for the purpose of obtain ing separation of the points of view to which the images of each component respectively of the composite are related. For making simultaneous color value negative films at f and f", as indicated above for example, the device is advantageous in securing at each film a duplicate of the images on the other film. The arrangement in which the image. on each film is comprised of components of light entering the optical system in difi'erent directions is of further advantage in averaging undesirable aberrations. It will therefore be understood that the. mirror m may be brought as close as is convenient to the light dividing surface 03 without sacrifice of any advantage except that of the illusion of stereoscopic vision which, under these circumstances, is

reduced, depending upon the degree of approach of the mirror m to the surface d.

ity of composite images, the component images of the composite formed by each lens comprising respectively the counterpart of a component image of the composite image formed by the other lens.

2. Apparatus for photography having therein two like lenses and means including a reflector and light-dividing means for severally forming thereby a similar plurality of composite images, the component images of the composite formed by each lens comprising respectively the counterpart of a component image of the composite image formed by the other lens, the component images of each composite being respectively images of the same object field from laterally separated points of "view.

3. Apparatus for photography of composite images having stereoscopic effect comprising like lenses, means for exposing sensitive surfaces to the respective ima s of said lenses, light-dividing means a apted simultaneously to transmit and to reflect respectively to each of said lenses portions of'each of a plurality of beams of light and means for causing beamsof light radiant from a point'in the object-field severally to be incident upon said light-dividing means.

4. Apparatus for photography of composite ima es having stereoscopic effect comprising lire lenses, means for exposing sensitive surfaces to the respective images of said lenses, light-dividing means adapted simultaneously to transmit and to reflect respectively to each of said lenses portions of each of a plurality of beams of light incident thereon in different directions, and means for causing beams of light radiant from a oint in the object-field severally to laterally separated points to be incident severally upon said dividing means in said different directions.

5. Apparatus for photography of composite images from different points of View comprising light-dividing means adapted partly to reflect and partly to transmit light incident thereon, means for causing light from an object in the object field to be incident upon said means in different directions, whereby light transmitted inone direction and light reflected from another direction emerges from the dividing means in the same direction, in combination with 'lense's mounted respectively to form images in the composite or resultant beams of light emerging from the light dividing means in different directions.

6. Apparatus for simultaneous photography of a plurality of like images of the same object-field comprising lenses for the respective images whose axes converge upon a light-dividing surface adapted partly to transmit and partly to reflect severally por- .tinns of the light incident upon the said surface in and near the axial directions respectively of said lenses, in combination with means for causing light emitted from an object to separated points to enter the apparatus in different directions lying in and near the said axial directions.

7. Apparatus for photography having therein two like lenses and means including a reflector and light-dividing means for severally forming thereby a similar plurality of composite images, the component images of the composite formed by each lens consisting respectively of the counterpart of a component image of the composite image formed by the other lens, and color screens of complementary color interposed between the several lenses and their image planes.

8. Apparatus for photography having therein two like lenses and means including a reflector and light-dividing means for severally forming thereby a similar p1urality of composite images, the component images of the com osite formed by each lens consisting respectively of the counterpart of a component image of the composite image formed by the other lens, the component images of each composite being respectively images of the same object field from laterally separated points of view, and means for adjusting the reflector to bring into coalescence insaid composites the component imagezof an object at any distance in the object -eld 9. A camera for making simultaneous composite images from two different oints of view of the same object having ti erein two photographic lenses arranged with their axes at an angle to each other, a li htdividing device comprising a partly re ecting and partly transmitting surface mounted on a bisector of said an 'le and intersected by said axes, means fbr supporting litght sensitive surfaces in the imageplanes o the respective lenses, and means for'causing beanis of light severally divergent from an object to said light dividing surface, and to a point separated laterally therefrom, to be severally incident on different sides of said surface at equal angles thereto.

10. A camera for making simultaneous composite images from two different ints of view of the same object having t erein two photographic lenses arranged with their axes at an angle to each other, a light dividing device comprising a partly reflecting and partly transmitting surface mounted on a bisector of said angle and intersected by said axes, means for supporting Light sensitive surfaces in the image planes of the respective lenses, and means for causing beams of 1i ht severally divergent from an object to sald light dividing surface, and to a point separated laterally therefrom, to be severaily incident on different sides of said surface at equal angles thereto, the means for causing one of said beams to be incident in said direction comprisin a reflector separated from the light dividing surface ,andnormal to the plane defined by the axes of thelenses.

11. In a camera, lenses arranged with their axes at an angle to each other, means for exposing a sensitive surface across a prolonga-.

tion of the axis of each lens at a predeter mined distance from the nodal point of the respective lens, and means for simultaneously moving the lenses axially through the same distance, to effect focal adjustment equivalently for each lens,

12. In a camera, lenses arranged with their axes at an angle to each other, means for exposing a sensitive surface across a pro-, longation of the axisof each lens at a'pre-' determined distance from the nodal point of the respective lens, mountings for the lens including means for moving them axially upon rotation on their axes,'and means for rotating the respective mountings through the same angles of rotation.

13. In a camera, the combination with a lens and a mounting therefor movable with the lens in the direction of its axis, of light dividing means adapted to transmit light for one component image formed by the lens, a movably mounted mirror adapted to reflect light to the light dividing means for another component image, said mirror being rotatable about an axis at one side of the light dividing means, and means movable with the lens mount'adapted upon axial motion of the lens to move the mirror about its axis accordingly, whereby beams of light transmitted to the lens and reflected from the mirror respectively converge upon the objectwhen the image of the object isin focus.

14. In a camera, the combination with a lens and a mounting therefor movable with the lens in the direction of its axis, of light dividing means adapted to transmit light for one component of an image formed by the lens, a movably mounted mirror adapted to reflect light to the light dividing means for another component of said image, said mirror being rotatable about an axis at one side of the light dividing means, pivoted means engaging the lens mount, and an 'arm on the axis of the mirror contacting with said pivoted means, whereby motionof the lens toward the object field swings the mirror accordingly about its axis.

Signed by me at Boston, Massachusetts, this 27th day of June, 1921.

ADELBERT AMES, JR. 

